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Original poster

...to think that this expresson is dying out?

441 replies

WalkDontWalk · 05/10/2025 14:25

On another thread someone used the expression 'taking the mick'. And I thought, 'I used to hear that all the time when I was a kid. But I rarely do now.'

So I started to think of others that my dad used but my kids don't.

'Having a kip' or 'I was akip'.

'Yikes' (My daughter says I'm the only non-cartoon that says 'yikes'.)

'Swinging the lead'

'Bunking off'. (Daughter: 'Never heard that. Sounds rude')

'Going Dutch' (Daughter. 'Nope. No idea. Is that rude too?')

'Haven't the foggiest.'

These were all in use in London fifty years ago. Maybe they were always regional.

OP posts:
PistachioTiramisu · 05/10/2025 17:58

Regarding 'swinging the lead' - the term 'PB' often appeared in patients' notes in the 60's/70s which was short for the Latin 'Plumbus something' (not sure what!). I know because my father was a GP and sometimes mentioned it.

Arrrrrrragghhh · 05/10/2025 17:56

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:52

A bunk up meant a fuck in London.

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There’s always been a big difference between bunking off and bunk
up 😂
Like pissed and pissed off. America has a lot to answer for.

louba85 · 05/10/2025 17:56

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:52

A bunk up meant a fuck in London.

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No way, south Londoner here. Bunking off means skipping lessons.

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:56

Svolvaer · 05/10/2025 17:47

One from my grandma - “she’s all fur coat and no knickers”. Someone trying to make out they’re posh and monied when they are just ordinary.

We still use that, along with “More front than Blackpool”

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:54

Elsvieta · 05/10/2025 17:44

Oh yes, I've heard that one plenty, but the OP says some people say "akip" to mean asleep - I've heard kip but never akip.

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I’ve never heard akip - only kipping.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:52

theDudesmummy · 05/10/2025 17:51

I grew up in South Africa. We definitely kipped and bunked off (or just bunked).

A bunk up meant a fuck in London.

theDudesmummy · 05/10/2025 17:51

I grew up in South Africa. We definitely kipped and bunked off (or just bunked).

Vaguelyclassical · 05/10/2025 17:50

AutumnGlum · 05/10/2025 15:55

My Mancunian Granny used to say ‘I’ll have your guts for garters’, anyone heard that before?

Yorkshire granny said that! So both red and white garters.

FurForksSake · 05/10/2025 17:49

Up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire - haven’t heard that for a while

Who does he think he is David Bailey?

I’ve heard or use nearly all of the others, early 40s Home Counties.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 05/10/2025 17:49

Funnywonder · 05/10/2025 17:18

‘It’s six o’clock and not a child in the house washed!’ when there’s still loads to do. Makes my youngest laugh.

I like that. I've only heard it as "It’s six o’clock and not a dish in the house washed!’'

It's funny to think of children being piled up like unwashed dishes.

Gymnopedie · 05/10/2025 17:48

Ahm none^ ser green as ahm cabbage lookin'
^pronounced the same as known

When someone is trying to do you over, diddle you*, or talking tripe^^

*another one you don't hear
^^ and another

UpWhereTheyWalk · 05/10/2025 17:48

I'm 32 and heard of them all except swinging the lead

Svolvaer · 05/10/2025 17:47

One from my grandma - “she’s all fur coat and no knickers”. Someone trying to make out they’re posh and monied when they are just ordinary.

Elsvieta · 05/10/2025 17:46

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 05/10/2025 16:43

I've heard "abed". "She's abed" , cambs/Norfolk.

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Wow, I've heard that in Victorian novels but didn't know it survived today.

Elsvieta · 05/10/2025 17:44

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:30

I was having a kip/I need a kip is in everyday use here (North west)

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Oh yes, I've heard that one plenty, but the OP says some people say "akip" to mean asleep - I've heard kip but never akip.

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:44

Terrribletwos · 05/10/2025 17:43

Ah, I still say breeks but this was for trousers, not underpants, where I come from. And hoor was used a lot as in hoor of a shame or hoor of a weather we're having. I am not sure if it was derogatory and actually meant whore?

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It definitely means whore - my family pronounced it hoo-er

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:43

Silverbirchleaf · 05/10/2025 17:40

Sorry, just saw this. Another expression for trouser zips being undone is ‘flying low’.

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Flying low without a licence was commonly used in the 80s

myavocadoisgrowing · 05/10/2025 17:43

mzpq · 05/10/2025 14:27

I think 'Taking the mick' is now considered offence, as in a slur against the Irish, isn't it?

This.

I am a CS and about 15 years ago I sent an email to my DH from the work email (no idea why, wouldn’t now!) in which I mentioned I was ‘having a paddy’ about something that was happening at work. He never received it.

A few days later I queried with the IT team where it was. It was quarantined for being offensive!

That was a lesson learned, never sent a private email again after that! (It was common in those days)

Terrribletwos · 05/10/2025 17:43

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/10/2025 16:34

Breeks (underpants)

"Hoo'er of a look" (our cat gives us )

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Ah, I still say breeks but this was for trousers, not underpants, where I come from. And hoor was used a lot as in hoor of a shame or hoor of a weather we're having. I am not sure if it was derogatory and actually meant whore?

Crazycatladywithnocats · 05/10/2025 17:42

I used to hear Fag Ash Lil occasionally when I was a kid. I was amused to hear it again years later from my hairdresser after she gave up smoking. This was probably about 7 years ago. She’s a couple of years younger than me.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:41

Silverbirchleaf · 05/10/2025 17:38

What meaning do you mean? Having egg on your face to me means you’ve embarrassed yourself or made a fool of yourself.

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Exactly, I said tie, not face.

Silverbirchleaf · 05/10/2025 17:40

MagpiePi · 05/10/2025 17:34

It meant his flies were down.

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Sorry, just saw this. Another expression for trouser zips being undone is ‘flying low’.

PeaceReacher · 05/10/2025 17:40

By t’rack of th’ee (by the rack of the eye) when hanging a picture - very common in Lancashire even now.

PunksVersusBrats · 05/10/2025 17:39

I still use:
Oh my giddy aunt.
Don't come/play the giddy kipper.
Tight as an owl (drunk).

Silverbirchleaf · 05/10/2025 17:38

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 05/10/2025 17:33

That doesn't work with the meaning of it !😀

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What meaning do you mean? Having egg on your face to me means you’ve embarrassed yourself or made a fool of yourself.